The Glenlivet breaks ground on expansion

Chivas Brothers has broken ground on expanding The Glenlivet distillery to “significantly” increase capacity, at the same time as confirming the brand is now the world’s largest single malt Scotch.

The Glenlivet’s master distiller Alan Winchester marks the start of the distillery’s expansion

In December last year, planning applications revealed that Chivas had proposed to build new facilities and upgrade existing ones at The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, with reports claiming this could triple capacity.

Initially plans included a new distilling building, tank and equipment area, a replacement bioplant and new pipework, among other changes.

Confirmation that work has now started on the site comes at the same time as The Glenlivet declares its new position as the world’s best-selling single malt Scotch whisky, overtaking William Grant & Sons’ Glenfiddich. Both brands are the only single malts to sell more than one million cases annually.

The Glenlivet first announced it had crossed the million case threshold in October last year.

“Today’s first step towards an expansion at The Glenlivet distillery is an historic day for Chivas Brothers as we look to continue the brand’s phenomenal triumphs across the past five years to reinforce our position as the world’s number one single malt Scotch whisky,” said Laurent Lacassagne, chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, the whisky and gin arm of French drinks group Pernod Ricard.

“The overall performance of our comprehensive portfolio of Scotch whiskies in the context of the wider category, which declined slightly last year, has been robust and we are committed to investing into manufacturing facilities geared towards innovation to help us to capitalise on the current and long-term growth prospects of the category.”

The Glenlivet increased volume sales by 11% in 2014/15, but Chivas Brothers’ other Scotch brands failed to experience the same success.

Royal Salute was hit by turbulence in the Chinese market, with net sales falling 8%, while Chivas Regal sales also stood stagnant and Ballantine’s saw a marginal uplift.

Overall, Scotch whisky exports fell 7% in 2014, largely due to China’s on-going austerity campaign and increased competition in the US.